Norfolk Benefits From Early Lead

NORFOLK — The Norfolk Tides are nobody's fools. Working with a big lead early at home is a luxury seldom bestowed upon the Tides, but when they get one, they take advantage of it.

Norfolk held serve in that category Friday, jumping to a comfortable cushion in the first three innings and posting a 9-5 victory over Buffalo, which has the International League's best record.

The Tides (18-16), winners of three in a row, teed off on Bisons starting right-hander Jake Westbrook (3-1).

Norfolk loaded the bases with one out in the second inning for Vance Wilson, who delivered a base hit to left, scoring Ray Montgomery from third. Kevin Baez followed by reaching first on a walk, bringing Jorge Toca across the plate.

Then, Jorge Velandia slapped a single down the left-field line to score Wilson and Baez.

In the third, Tony Tarasco grounded deep into the hole near second and was thrown out at first for the second out of the inning, but Mark Johnson scored to increase Norfolk's lead to 5-0. Wilson followed with an RBI single to score Toca for a 6-0 advantage.

"My intention was to go eight or nine today," Walker said. "I'm not going in there to pitch five or six anymore. I just have to keep working on my stamina to get there."

In the fifth, Buffalo's Mark Budzinski hit a two-RBI double and Mark Lewis followed with an RBI single to right. Buffalo (23-11) continued to reduce the deficit to 6-5 in the seventh with a solo home run by Trace Coquillette and an RBI single by Tim Laker.

However, the Tides slammed the door in the bottom of the seventh with another offensive outburst. Matt Franco snapped a 1-for-16 stretch with a solo homer to left-center, and Toca delivered a two-RBI double into left field for the final margin.

NOTES. Norfolk takes on Buffalo again this evening at 7:15. Right-hander Steve Ontiveros (2-1, 2.88 ERA) will take the mound for the Tides. The starter for the Bisons will be a game-time decision. Right-hander Jaret Wright was originally scheduled to make his third rehabilitation start today, but he was recalled by the Cleveland Indians on Friday. ... Tides infielder Ty Wigginton, who was hitting .170 with three home runs and 10 RBI, had arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow Friday and was placed on the disabled list. He is likely to return in mid-July after the Triple-A All- Star break. Meanwhile, right-hander Brett Hinchliffe (2-1, 4.56) was also placed on the DL with tendinitis in his throwing shoulder. ... Pitcher Paul Wagner was activated from the Tides' DL and then released by the New York Mets on Friday. Later, Wagner was signed by the Texas Rangers and sent to Oklahoma, the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate.

Norm Wood can be reached at 247-4642 or by e-mail at nwood@dailypress.com